More on My Rural Homestay

Rural Homestay Snaps

Meet Martha, my 90+ year-old neighbor. I met her on Monday, the third day of my rural homestay, and the day during which I travelled around to the village meeting many of the old men and women who told me (via my trusty translator, Sydney) many ogre stories and all about the traditional Ameru culture and the way the landscape and community has changed since the arrival of Mzungu (white people). The advent of Christianity and the education that came with the faith forever altered the direction of the Ameru and their ways. I learned so much this day, and I'm incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to have so much knowledge and wisdom imparted upon me by community elders. 

                       

This is another jojo (that's old woman in Kimeru) I had the pleasure of meeting on Monday. Although she is very old and can barely even keep her head up most of the time, this remarkable woman is 120 years-old and still very much alive. With the help of her granddaughter, she shared several stories with me and even told me about her memories of when the first white missionaries and colonial explores arrived c. 1903. She spoke of how she remembers as a girl the arrival of the first white people and how much change accompanied the adoption of Christianity in the community. 

Meet Chui, arguably the cutest Kenyan puppy on the planet. Although he is usually only allowed out at night, one day when my parents were both at work, I let him out and we played for hours. In Kenya, most dogs are not cared for as pets like they are in the US. Rather, in Kenya, dogs are used almost exclusively as guard dogs, which of course complicated my plans to spend every minute with this little bundle of joy. 

This is another picture of Chui during his token day of frolicking about the homestead with myself and the neighborhood boys.  It was pretty awesome to see these kids even just petting him, because usually no one goes near the fierce guard dogs and strays that roam the streets and protect properties, especially in these rural areas where gates and guards are few and far between. 

I had an opportunity to drop by the local kindergarten class one day. Although I was unable to speak with the kids because I arrived at naptime, I was able to capture some great photos of the little ones catching up on some sleep on the pews and floor of the church where classes are held. 

As a gift, I brought a soccer ball for the neighborhood kids to enjoy. They had a blast all afternoon just kicking the ball around. It was really humbling to see them so genuinely excited about something so modest. They would come over right after school everyday and ask if I could play with them. I hope it continues to bring them joy for months to come.